When you’re applying for a job you may provide a link to a professional portfolio page online or personal blog, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the hiring manager will look at it. He/she may just do an online search for your name. Having a LinkedIn page creates another search result for you that’s professionally-oriented (unlike your potentially unsavory Facebook or Twitter profiles).
Furthermore, if you’re being hired by an employment agency or some other high-volume hirer, their search results may be personalized to rank LinkedIn pages higher than pages on other social media sites. This means that if you have a LinkedIn page, you’ll be putting your best foot forward when it comes to presenting yourself professionally.
Appropriate Boasting
Posting a history of where you’ve worked or when you’ve been promoted on other social sites will come off as bragging and will likely turn your friends and followers off. LinkedIn allows you to display these details in a setting where people actually want to see them and are more than willing to celebrate your accomplishments along with you.
Record Keeping
Failing to keep track of the various positions that you’ve held or places that you’ve worked online somewhere opens up the possibility that you’ll forget some of your past employment details (unless you have an unbelievable memory). This can make it really painful to try to put together a complete resume or portfolio down the road when you’re looking for your next job. In this way your LinkedIn profile is a great way to keep a correct career record for yourself.
Maintain Professional Contacts
LinkedIn allows you to connect with other people that you’ve met throughout your career in a way that’s not too personal. Connecting with someone on LinkedIn is much easier than keeping track of a business card or trying to remember someone’s name. Plus, it’s more accurate anyways because people change jobs and job titles so frequently. Unlike friending someone on Facebook or following them on Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram, connecting on LinkedIn is more neutral so it doesn’t muddle your professional relationship.
Kate Pierce is the owner of LionShark Digital Marketing LLC, a West Michigan internet marketing company. Her areas of expertise include Paid Search, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media, Web Consulting for small businesses, Copywriting and Local Online Marketing. She lives in the Grand Rapids area with her husband and enjoys cooking, watching sports and spending time outdoors. Like a true digital marketing expert (i.e. geek), she loves talking about marketing theory and SEM trends… so don’t say you weren’t warned!